PZ 3 
. K94 
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COPY 1 


The Test of Love 

BY 

V. H. KRULL, C. PP. S. 



Chicago 

M. A. Donohue & Co. 


1917. 






The Test of Love 

Vy^KRULL, C. PP. S. 

W 




Chicago 

M. A. Donohue & Co. 


1917. 


Imprimi potest. 
Geo. Hindelang, 
Pov. C. PP. S. 


Copyright, 1917, 

by 

V. H. Krull, C. PP. S. 


/ 

©Cl A457294 

MAR -3 1917 

"Avi> f > 


The Test of Love 


Chapter I 

A FAMILY REUNION. 

Nicholas and Mary had just finished 
their elaborate preparations for the ex- 
pected visitors. With an air of well- 
founded satisfaction they briefly re- 
viewed from the entrance their wreaths 
and flowers and setting of chairs and 
other furniture, and then repaired to 
the parlor to converse with their happy 
mother. 

‘ ‘ This is a grand and delightful event 
for me/’ the mother said to them as they 
entered the parlor. Casting a glance 
into the improvised reception room, she 
added: “You have an eye for beauty. 
Everything looks spick and span. I am 
proud of your artistic taste. It is well 
done, and I am confident that your 
brothers and sisters with their families 
will appreciate it. 0, how I long to see 
them ! The nearer the time for their ar- 


3 


4 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


rival the greater and the more percep- 
tible is my desire to see them again.” 

Nicholas and Mary thanked her for 
her appreciated approval. Instinctively 
they were now looking intensely through 
the window in the direction from which 
the relatives were to arrive. 

“There they come!” was Mary’s joy- 
ful shout. 

Her heart beating with additional 
joy, the mother hastened out of the 
house to meet them all at the gate. Five 
teams of spry horses and four costly 
automobiles, belonging to her children, 
brought the welcomed guests to her 
home. Everybody waved hands and 
had a big smile on his face as soon as 
they saw her. 

There was sincerity in the mutual 
phrase : “I am glad to see you. ’ ’ Every- 
body had a word of cheer; the little 
grandchildren chattered amusingly. 
Good manneredly, Nicholas and Mary 
stood at the open door and bid them 
welcome to the old homestead. 

“Well, well, isn’t this a complete sur- 
prise, at this time of the year, to see so 
many bouquets here and to behold this 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


5 


house changed into a veritable art gal- 
lery ?” was Ann’s felicitous observation. 

“Yes, indeed, my dear, compliments 
are in order ; Nicholas and Mary deserve 
all credit for transforming the old va- 
cant hall into a modern reception room. ’ ’ 

All were comfortably seated. The 
children were romping in the yard : run- 
ning, shouting, laughing and cutting 
capers as children are wont to do when 
they get away from home and feel that 
they are perfectly free. They came to 
have a good time and they certainly did 
their share to have it. 

The older persons in the house held a 
lively conversation. Wit and humor 
gave relish to their questions and an- 
swers. Within a short time they all 
knew that everyone of them was getting 
along nicely. 

Looking up, mother’s eyes fell upon 
the richly decorated enlarged portrait 
of her husband, whose memory was dear 
to her. It was but natural that she 
should express the wish that he might 
be among them on this auspicious occa- 
sion. 

“He must be in Heaven. The very 


6 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


look of the picture seems to tell me that. 
Ah, your father was the best man that 
walked the earth in our days. God bless 
his dear soul. He had the faith and 
lived up to it in all things.” 

Pausing for a few moments, her face 
brightened with a light that betokens a 
heavenly thought and depicts the fullest 
resignation to the will of God. 

Gradually the conversation resumed 
its previous vivacity and then turned 
about former days, reverting to olden 
times. 

‘ 4 That is the corner where father and 
mother used to sit, and we children 
crowded around them to listen to their 
interesting and instructive stories. I 
often think of the lessons you gave us, 
mother, on Christian charity and the 
fascinating way in which you described 
old Tobias to us and gave us the les- 
sons which he taught his growing son. 
Those days and the lessons, too, still live 
in my memory. You must have been a 
teacher in your younger days,” Francis 
remarked. 

“Your father called me a teacher, too. 
The priest boarded with my parents, 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


7 


when I was a mere child. He taught 
me the lessons that I have taught you.” 

“All the better, mother, since you got 
your information from a representative 
of Christ, from a priest, it came from 
the best of sources. I try to teach your 
lessons to my pupils the same way as 
you gave them to us. The world is get- 
ting away from the lessons of almsgiving 
and practicing charity. It seems to me 
that even our Catholic papers and mag- 
azines have altogether overlooked this 
theme. Our energetic young priest, 
Father Cyril, whom God endowed with 
eloquence and zeal for souls, had the 
courage to remind us last Sunday of 
the duty of almsgiving. That was a 
grand sermon; though quite a few of 
the parishioners did not like it. ’ 9 

“You are right, Martha, almsgiving 
seems to be a thing of the past, and self- 
ishness has replaced it. I am glad to 
state though that my better half, Made- 
line, is as good as Tobias himself in giv- 
ing alms and in making persons feel 
grateful. I suggest that we recall the 
lessons of mother. It would be interest- 


8 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


mg, I think. I heard some of them as 
I visited here.” 

“Indeed, Henry, it would be inter- 
esting to me to hear you tell me the same 
lessons that you told me upon request 
many years ago,” mother replied. 

Joseph, the oldest of her children, 
commenced: “Old Tobias said to his 
son: Give alms out of thy substance, 
and turn not away thy face from any 
poor person : for so it shall come to pass 
that the face of the Lord shall not be 
turned away from thee.” On which 
Thecla, Joseph’s wife, commented: 
“Joseph never turns a beggar away, 
and he teaches even the little baby on 
my arm to put a piece of money into 
the collection box on Sundays.” 

A few general observations were made, 
and then the eyes turned towards Her- 
man, for he was next in age. 

“According to thy ability be merci- 
ful. If thou have much give abundantly : 
if thou have little, take care even so to 
bestow willingly a little. For thus thou 
storest up to thyself a good reward for 
the day of necessity. For alms deliver 
from all sin, and from death, and will 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


9 


not suffer the soul to go into darkness/ ’ 

Tilly complimented Herman on his 
retentive memory, and said: “Prayer 
is good with fasting and alms more than 
to lay up treasures of gold: for alms 
delivereth from death, and the same is 
that which purgeth away sin, and mak- 
eth to find mercy and life everlasting.” 

George, her husband, agreed with her 
in every particular of her statement ex- 
cept on the subject of fasting. Eating, 
he thought, was more conducive to de- 
liver the soul from death for awhile; 
for he was wont to say “Eating and 
drinking keep soul and body together.” 
He acted accordingly. 

Martha quoted a few passages from 
the Book of Proverbs: “Some distribute 
their own goods, and grow richer: oth- 
ers take away what is not their own, and 
are always in want. He that hath mercy 
on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and 
he will repay him. He that stoppeth 
his ear against the cry of the poor, shall 
also cry himself and shall not be heard. 
He that giveth to the poor, shall not 
want : he that despiseth his entreaty 
shall suffer indigence.” 


10 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


1 1 Somebody told me that you intended 
soon to enter a convent. You admire 
poverty and are delighted when you can 
do something for the church/’ Francis 
remarked. Martha frankly admitted 
such a thought was not foreign to her. 

“After this relieving degression, I 
think it is better, if we come back to our 
subject. You might consider my re- 
marks a trick of a student to elude the 
subject matter before us. As I hope 
one day to stand at the altar and be a 
representative of Christ, it seems fit to 
me to give Christ’s own words on char- 
ity: ‘Give to him that asketh of thee, 
and from him that would borrow of thee 
turn not away. When thou dost alms, 
let not thy left hand know what thy 
right hand doeth. That thy alms may 
be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in 
secret will repay thee. Amen, I say to 
you, as long as you did it to one of 
these my least brethren, you did it to 
me’.” 

Full of joy the mother whispered: 
“Francis, I hope you will some day be- 
come a Priest and then preach often on 
almsgiving.” 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


11 


Henry, they all admitted, was best at 
home in measure, being the owner of a 
wholesale bakery. Madeline, his highly 
educated and handsome consort, loved 
to joke him on finding his true vocation. 
Francis seemed to enjoy the witty in- 
terruption hugely. Henry and Made- 
line were his most liberal benefactors. 
They supplied him with excellent brands 
of cigars and other innocent amuse- 
ments which students enjoy. 

Henry ’s honesty was proverbial in the 
whole community. He remembered the 
following sayings of Christ, which 
formed the maxim of all his business 
transactions: “Give, and it shall be 
given to you : good measure and pressed 
down and shaken together and running 
over shall they give into thy bosom. For 
with the same measure that you mete 
withal, it shall be measured to you 
again.” 

Nicholas had the reputation of being 
the best story-teller in the family. Peo- 
ple said that he talked with his face. He 
had a wonderful memory for historical 
events. All eyes were riveted on him. 
They looked into his face ; they watched 


12 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


the motions of his hands and drank in 
every word he said. This was his nar- 
rative: “In the far-away city of Joppe 
there lived a charitable maiden lady, 
known by the names of Tabitha and 
Dorcas. Whilst St. Peter chanced to be 
on a mission trip in the nearby city of 
Lydda, Dorcas took sick and died. The 
rumor of her death filled the city with 
weeping and lamentations. The poor 
especially missed the good lady. In their 
distress they sent messengers to Lydda 
and urged St. Peter to come in haste, 
and if possible, to raise this good wom- 
an back to life. St. Peter came. They 
brought him up stairs into the room 
where her body was lying in state. And 
all the widows stood about weeping and 
showing him the coats and other gar- 
ments which Dorcas had made and do- 
nated to them. St. Peter told them to 
step out of the room. He knelt down 
beside the corpse and prayed. Then he 
rose, turned towards the corpse and 
said: Tabitha, arise! and, lo, she 

opened her eyes. When she saw St. 
Peter there, she sat up. He took her by 
the hand and raised her up. Then he 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


13 


called the persons back into the room 
and presented her alive to them. ,, 

Mary, the best cook in town, an ex- 
pert in the culinary art, with a heart as 
good as gold, related the conversion of 
Cornelius the great centurion of an 
Italian band, who evidently received the 
grace of conversion as a reward for his 
charity in giving many alms. Part of 
her verbal citation from the Acts of the 
Apostles was this : ‘ 4 Cornelius was a re- 
ligious man, fearing God with all his 
house, giving much alms to the people, 
and always praying to God. This man 
saw in a vision manifestly, about the 
ninth hour of the day, an angel of God 
coming in unto him, and saying to him : 
Cornelius. And he, beholding him, be- 
ing seized with fear, said: What is it, 
Lord? And he said to him: Thy pray- 
ers and thy alms are ascended for a 
memorial in the sight of God.” 

Scarcely had Mary finished her lesson 
on charity and cast a wistful look at 
her younger brother, Alvin, when the 
latter arose and, fidgety to the extreme, 
fumbled for an excuse to leave the com- 
pany for a moment to look after his 


14 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


automobile, for “he feared the children 
might tamper with it.” His appear- 
ance in the yard put a damper on the 
children’s merry laughter and little 
Louise whispered into Helen’s ear: “I 
wish that old grouch would step into the 
house again.” 

In the meantime Bernard, who was 
accustomed to take up the collection in 
church, read the beseeching look in the 
eyes of Ann, his bride, and continued 
the lessons that mother had taught them. 
He prefaced his part with the assertion : 
“St. Paul was a very practical man. He 
was a great saint and at the same time 
a business man, in the sense that he did 
not overlook the temporal wants of the 
Church and its members. He wrote to 
the Corinthians: ‘Concerning the col- 
lections that are made for the saints, as 
I have given orders to the church of 
Galatia, so do ye also. On the first day 
of the week (which is on Sunday) let 
every one of you put apart with him- 
self, laying up what it shall well please 
him; that when I come, the collections 
be not then to be made.’ That advice 
of St Paul shows that the faithful have 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


15 


always had a chance to do something 
for their religion. The people in those 
days must have been more liberal in 
their contributions than people are now- 
adays; for St. Paul presumed that they 
would give enough in advance so that 
he would not be obliged to urge a col- 
lection during his stay with them.” 

To which Rudolph replied: “The 
Apostles urged the people to give to the 
Church and thereby to merit God’s 
pleasure. I think the people in general 
and the Jews in particular were fre- 
quently reminded of this duty. I re- 
member one of mother’s sayings of 
which our young priest reminded me 
last Sunday in his sermon. He stated 
that St. Paul wrote it to the Hebrews: 
“Do not forget to do good, and to im- 
part; for by such sacrifices God’s favor 
is obtained.” 

John, a clever business man, whose 
honesty and integrity of character gave 
weight to his utterance, had just fin- 
ished his recital in these words: “He 
that hath the substance of the world, 
and shall see his brother in need, and 
shall refuse to help him, how doth the 


16 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


charity of God abide in him?” when 
Alvin entered the room and tried to dis- 
tract the crowd by talking about the 
weather. 

Their mother felt an excusable elation 
of mind and expressed it freely as she 
added: “Your reminiscences are dear 
to me. Without charity even a world’s 
ovation is but a clank of sounding brass 
and all effort but the beating of the air. 
Give alms freely; be liberal to God and 
God will be merciful to you. Charity 
covereth a multitude of sins.” 

To relieve the unpleasant strain that 
appeared to be on Alvin’s mind, Ann, 
always ready to do a favor unobserved- 
ly, humorously bowed to mother and 
then to all present, sat down at the 
piano and sent the peals of music thrill- 
ing through the room. The children ran 
into the house and without waiting for 
an invitation circled around the piano. 
They all loved Ann, the music teacher. 
Turning the leaves to a familiar song, 
Ann raised her hand and, as if charmed 
by one single look, the voices of all the 
little ones were swayed by the touch of 
the keys. Ah, that was pleasing to all. 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


17 


Music and song had put the crowd 
into the right mood for real gladdening 
recreation. 

Amid improvised rhyme and pleas- 
antry the heart gives way to cheer and 
casts aside the shackles of convention- 
ality. 

Smiling little Agnes, wearing a gold 
medal of Domestic Science, entered the 
room. “Beg pardon for interrupting 
your jovial conversation, I come to in- 
vite you to the dining room, supper is 
now ready.” 

The invitation was heeded. The moth- 
er assigned each one his or her place, 
made the sign of the cross and prayed : 
“Bless us, 0 Lord, and these Thy gifts 
which, of Thy bounty, we are about to 
receive; through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 5 ’ 

Everybody made the sign of the cross 
and sat down. A sumptuous meal am- 
ply supplied their healthy appetites. 
There was no bashfulness in mother’s 
house. “If the test of the pie is the 
eating thereof, as the proverb has it, 
then your cooks stand the test glori- 
ously,” was Martha’s pleasant approval. 


18 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


She herself had graduated with high 
honors in Domestic Science at the St. 
Elizabeth Institute, St. Louis, Mo., some 
years ago. 

George nodded assent and amused 
mother by reasoning thus: “If the eat- 
ing of the pie is the test of its good- 
ness, then the splendid appetite dis- 
played here at table in eating and drink- 
ing corroborates my contention that all 
of us believe in eating and drinking and 
prefer it even to fasting.” 

“Your philosophy may be a little 
deep, but your health is good, George,” 
was Tilly ’s ready reply. 

“My health is always good.” 

“Always?” Joseph questioned. 

“Yes, always, as long as I have it. 
When I lose my health then it is neither 
good nor bad; then it is simply gone; 
and thus I am never in bad health.” 

“George, your philosophy fits the oc- 
casion,” Francis said, as he Landed 
him the dish of celery. 

“Celery is brain-food, and I was 
reared on it,” George jested. 

“Yes, and you thrive on it to the sat- 
isfaction of all that have the pleasure to 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


19 


be in your company,’ ’ Francis re* 
sponded. 

When all had finished eating and rose 
with a complacent look, mother bowed 
to Francis. He understood the meaning, 
made the sign of the cross and prayed: 
“We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, 
for all Thy benefits, which we have re- 
ceived ; through Christ our Lord. Amen. 
In the name of the Father and of the 
Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” 

Whilst the grown persons continued 
their restful recreation in the parlor, 
mirthful youth, under the able direction 
of Agnes, relieved the table of its bur- 
den, washed and wiped the dishes. All 
of it was quickly done without the clink 
of china. 

Young and old enjoyed themselves. 
Everybody had a word to say. All too 
soon the evening hours glided by, and it 
was time for the visitors’ parting. As 
the women with the children withdrew 
to an adjacent room chatting before the 
mirrors and donned their robes and ad- 
justed their hats, the men were momen- 
tarily left alone. Francis used this mo- 
ment to express his idea of giving an 


20 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


appreciative surprise donation to moth- 
er, as a token of gratitude. “Nicholas 
will find a way of suggesting this to our 
sisters and Bernard being near mother’s 
home might hand it to her next Sunday 
with our compliments. We could send 
him a check or cash, as it may be more 
convenient for each one, by Wednesday.” 
All agreed to do so, and thanked him 
for his thoughtfulness. Mother knew 
nothing about it. It was to be a com- 
plete surprise. Alvin tried to suppress 
a sneer as he jerked his overcoat from 
Francis, who attempted to assist him in 
putting it on. Francis paid no atten- 
tion to it. He knew that Alvin was 
tightfisted; but he did not know that 
any child could be so selfish as to refuse 
to help his mother. 

Fully protected against the chilly 
night air, all wearing a pleasant face, 
the ladies and children re-entered the 
room and helped the men to get ready 
for their homeward ride. 

“Mary, where did you leave my hat?” 
Nicholas asked, as though she should 
have ever hidden it. But that is the 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


21 


way men are, and that is the way they 
speak to those whom they love most. 

“I left it where you put it. Here it 
is,” she answered and handed him his 
hat. He went aside to the little office 
room and telephoned to the livery and 
to the garage. Within a comparatively 
short time, horses and buggies and 
thumping automobiles stood ready at 
the entrance to the yard. Then he went 
out with the parting visitors to help 
them to their seats and to place them as 
comfortably as possible. Mother and 
Mary stood near expressing their grati- 
tude, inviting all to come back soon. 
Then the automobiles and the buggies 
began to move, and in response to her 
good wishes, “Goodby! Goodby! Good- 
by! Goodby, mother !” came on every 
waft of air with such sincere affection 
as to recall in her heart its original 
meaning: God be with you! “Yes, 
God be with you, with each and every 
one of you,” was part of her devout 
night prayer. 


Chapter II 


THE SURPRISE. 

On his first round next Wednesday 
morning one of Uncle Sam’s walking 
mailcarriers greeted Bernard at the 
door, and handed him eight registered 
letters. At a glance Bernard detected 
the handwriting. 

“ I hope the ninth letter will come 
this afternoon. Alvin’s handwriting is 
not among them. Perhaps he was too 
busy. Let us wait and see.” Such and 
similar thoughts flashed through his mind 
as he opened the outer envelopes and 
laid the smaller envelopes with their 
contents in the safe near his own con- 
tribution to the surprise fund for 
mother. 

Promptly the mailcarrier returned in 
the afternoon. “Ah, this will complete 
the number,” Bernard mused, as he re- 
ceived another letter. But his conclu- 
sion was the effect of desire, it was too 
hasty ; for the letter proved to be a bait 
from an unknown gold mine prospector. 

n 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


23 


It landed in the waste basket. The next 
day no letter came. Friday other Jet- 
ers arrived, but none from his brother 
Alvin. 

“Alvin’s mind is too much bent on 
making money. He may have forgotten 
on what day it was to be sent to me, 
and he never lets loose until constrained 
by promise or necessity. ’ ’ 

Saturday came, but the letter did not 
come. About noon Bernard was seen 
speeding along the road on his way to 
Alvin. 

Upon his arrival blue-eyed little Ber- 
nard, his godchild, opened the door and 
politely said: “Uncle Bernard, please 
step in and take a seat. I will call Papa 
and Mamma right away.” 

“That’s right, my boy, tell them that 
I am very much in a hurry.” 

“Good afternoon, Bernard, I am sur- 
prised to see you here on the last and 
busiest day of the week. I hope no mis- 
fortune has befallen your family,” was 
the greeting. 

“No, Alvin, thanks be to God, my 
family is well, very well. The reason 
for my coming here is the love we bear 


24 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


for our good mother and my brotherly 
interest in your contribution to the sur- 
prise fund. Perhaps it slipped your 
mind that the donation was to be handed 
in to-morrow. You might put your 
share in an envelope and give it along 
with me.” 

“No, Bernard, I do not think so. I 
have thought the matter over and 
reached the conclusion that mother has 
plenty to live on and if things at her 
home are not plentiful then it is about 
time for her to learn to live within her 
means. She will not get a penny from 
me,” was Alvin’s scornful answer. 

“She will not get a penny from you? 
Well, it is not for a penny that I drove 
these many miles hither. None of your 
brothers, I hope, will give a penny to 
mother. To give only a penny would be 
a downright insult. But, jokes aside, 
get your envelope ready, and mother 
will be happily surprised by tomorrow 
evening, when she receives a token of 
love, a tangible sign of recognition from 
every one of us.” 

Alvin’s temper rose beyond control. 
He was an avaricious man and had 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


25 


missed Mass many a time when he knew 
that an extra collection was to be taken 
up. Money was his idol. He would 
rather sell his soul to the devil than give 
money to the church or any other good 
purpose. Such remarks the neighbors 
made about him. Bernard knew this; 
but he did not imagine that a son could 
be such a slave to filthy lucre as to deny 
a pleasure to his own dear mother. 

Pacing up and down the room Alvin 
spat forth a tirade of abuse in language 
unfit to be recorded. Bernard remained 
perfectly composed. He had come in 
the interest of his mother, and there- 
fore he coolly but persuasively once more 
reminded him of the heroic sacrifices 
mother had made for years in their be- 
half and that it was time for them in 
some way to reciprocate the favors. 
“ Sacrifice is the criterion and the test 
of love. You are wealthy. If you do 
not care to give much, give at least some- 
thing, that mother’s joy may be com- 
plete. What will mother think of you 
if she finds out that you refused her the 
pleasure of a happy surprise? Alvin, 
the greed of filthy lucre is the cancer of 


26 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


mental and moral health. To unjustly 
cause others bitterness is the galling of 
your own system. Do not wound your 
mother ’s heart, nor embarrass your 
brothers and sisters by the refusal of 
a suitable donation. Please to get your 
offering ready that I may be able to 
present it with the rest of our contribu- 
tion to mother by to-morrow evening.” 
Saying this, he looked Alvin squarely in 
the face. 

For a minute there was an ominous 
silence. It seemed that Alvin was de- 
bating with himself what to do. Avarice, 
the serving of idols, was his besetting 
sin, and it prevailed. Pointing to the 
door, he ordered Bernard out of the 
house. Sadly disappointed, Bernard 
went. He tried to forget this oppro- 
brious adventure. Indeed the sun did 
not goi down upon his anger. Well 
founded and deeply rooted in charity, 
the words of St. Paul flashed through 
his mind that very moment: “Let no 
evil speech proceed from your mouth; 
but that which is good, to the edification 
of faith, that it may administer grace to 
the hearers.” (Eph. 4:29.) He hurled 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


27 


Alvin's insult into the ocean of oblivion. 

That same evening Bernard and Ann 
went to confession. The next morning 
they received Holy Communion for moth- 
er and the near relatives. After vespers 
the automobile brought them again to 
mother's house, where they spent a few 
hours in entertaining congeniality. In 
the act of leaving Bernard pressed the 
nine letters bearing the inscription of 
the respective donors into mother's hand 
and briefly explained the motive of their 
hearts in offering her this present. “For 
some reason or other so far Alvin’s con- 
tribution did not arrive. Perhaps he 
will send it later." 

“May God requite you for this oppor- 
tune assistance! Sacrifice is the test of 
love. You have made many sacrifices 
for me. All my children are dear to 
me. May God repay them." 

Grateful emotion had drowned her 
voice, and tears of joy glistened in her 
eyes. 


Chapter III 


THE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. 

For several successive Sundays Fath- 
er William, the energetic pastor, pre- 
pared his parishioners for the ensuing 
mission. Prayers were said after every 
Mass and sermons were preached for the 
success of the coming mission. Upon 
the direct advice of the Rev. Missionary 
a special letter was mailed in advance 
to all Catholics and even to all well- 
meaning Protestants in the neighbor- 
hood. 

The pastor himself and a few of his 
prominent people stood on the platform 
as the train moved into the station. A 
warm handshake and a hearty welcome 
greeted the Missionary as he stepped 
from the train into a comfortable auto- 
mobile that sped them to the pastor’s 
up-to-date residence. Father William is 
the personification of hospitality. The 
Missionary enjoyed every moment he 
was with him. 

There was a solemn ring to the church 
28 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


29 


bells as from the lofty belfry they sound- 
ed for half an hoar the message: “Come 
ye to the mission !” 

“Why do they ring all the bells so 
long to-night ?” Alvin inquired. “The 
mission opens to-morrow. This is to 
remind us of our duty to attend it. By 
the way, there is a letter here for you 
from the rectory. Shall I open it and 
read it to you?” 

“Alright,” he retorted. 

Margaret slipped her paper knife un- 
der the upper part of the envelope with 
a noticeable reverence, took out the let- 
ter and read every word of it distinctly : 
“My Dear Friend: — 

“You are cordially invited to attend 
our week’s mission, which commences 
next Sunday at St. Joseph’s Church. 
The services will be held at 8 a. m. and 
at 7 :30 p. m. Every sermon is meant 
for you. It is God’s message to you. 
Jesus, our Saviour, said: ‘He that is of 
God, heareth the word of God.’ St. John 
8 : 47. Nothing but the word of God will 
be preached. ‘We preach not ourselves, 
but Jesus Christ our Lord.’ II. Cor. 4:5. 

“Come to the mission and see that 


30 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


God is good and that His benignity leads 
you to repentance. Let no worldly amuse- 
ment, no business affair of any kind, nor 
the cowardice of some pet sin, keep you 
away from the mission! ‘Where the 
spirit of God is, there is liberty.’ II. 
Cor. 3:17. 

“Remember, God says: ‘The wages of 
sin is death. But the grace of God is 
life everlasting, in Christ Jesus our 
Lord.’ Rom. 6:23. 

“Dear friend, time is ebbing away 
fast; judgment and enternity are loom- 
ing in the distance. ‘For Christ we be- 
seech you, be reconciled to God. ’ II. Cor. 
5 :20. May God enlighten your mind and 
strengthen your will to make this mis- 
sion well! May God bless you! 

“Yours devotedly in Christ, 
“Father Herman. 

“P. S. Sent to you through the cour- 
tesy of your Rev. Pastor.” 

“A mission again? What does our 
pastor take us for? It is nothing else 
but a money-making scheme. I have 
more important business to tend to than 
to while away my time by sitting in 
church. Let me have that letter.” 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


31 


Grabbing the letter he threw it into the 
fireplace. 

In such and similar fits of anger, ex- 
perience had taught Margaret it was 
best to leave him alone. So she did, 
silently saying a prayer for his con- 
version. 

Next morning Alvin went to early 
Mass. In a few words the zealous pas- 
tor exhorted his parishioners to make 
good use of this time of grace, to come 
to the mission and earnestly to meditate 
on Christ’s own saying: “What doth it 
profit a man, if he gain the whole world, 
and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or 
what exchange shall a man give for his 
soul?” St. Matth. 16:26. 

At High Mass, the opening of the mis- 
sion, the church was crowded to its ut- 
most capacity. The Rev. Missionary 
gave a rousing sermon on the necessity 
of saving one’s soul, and urged the peo- 
ple to continue their attendance to the 
end. “Chairs will be placed in the 
aisles and along the communion railing 
to accommodate all of you and those who 
wish to follow your good example,” the 
Rev. Missionary announced. 


32 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


Alvin did not make the mission on 
Monday morning. He told his wife 
that he might go to confession next 
Saturday evening, but that he would 
not attend any of the mission sermons, 
nor give her permission to attend. 

“As far as your permission is con- 
cerned, I do not need it, for a much 
higher authority than yours bids me go, 
and I will go to the mission. Your 
greed of filthy lucre has been the cause 
of untold unhappiness in our family. 
Tend to your soul and do as every 
decent man in the parish does; attend 
the mission,” she shouted back at him. 

That same day he drove to a neighbor- 
ing town to foreclose a mortgage on her 
brother’s home. He had planned to 
make a few hundred dollars on this ma- 
licious deal. How much he would have 
made remains a mystery forever. 

On his homeward drive night overtook 
him. Disgruntled with the weather and 
dissatisfied with himself, he blurted at 
the persons who passed him in the oppo- 
site direction near the railroad crossing. 
They shrieked to him, but he paid no 
attention to it. Eternity will reveal the 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


33 


thoughts that flitted through his mind as 
he recklessly, without even a moment’s 
hesitation, ventured the crossing, getting 
on the track just in time to be caught 
by a fast train. The automobile was 
hurled to the side. Alvin’s skull was 
broken; he was unconscious. 

“It is my sister’s own husband,” Mar- 
tin sighed, as he looked into the face of 
the unfortunate victim. Martin and his 
family had been to the mission, though 
they did not belong to St. Joseph’s par- 
ish. They had hoped to meet Alvin at 
church and then incidentally ask him 
for a few days of grace on the note. 
Now they found him dying by the way- 
side. Little did they surmise that they 
were weeping over the same man who 
this very day had tried, with the aid 
of law, to make them homeless. 

By the time the neighboring priest 
and the doctor arrived at the scene, Al- 
vin had breathed his last. Martin re- 
turned to D. to break the sad news to 
his sister. Margaret loved her husband 
faithfully. His occasional spats and in- 
sults were never taken very seriously. 
The thought of his sudden death under 


34 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


such untoward circumstances shocked 
her into a swoon. After she came to her 
brother tried to console her to the best 
of his ability. 

The corpse was brought to the home. 
Mother, brothers and sisters, and the 
other relatives were informed and invited 
to attend the funeral, which would be 
this coming Wednesday morning from 
St. Joseph’s church at 8:30. Alvin had 
made his Easter duty and had even ex- 
pressed a faint desire to go to confession 
the coming Saturday, the day that never 
dawned for him. 

Bitter tears were wept in church 
aside the coffin. One thought expressed 
in the Missionary’s eloquent sermon was 
of greatest consolation to those who 
knew Alvin intimately: 4 ‘God is more 
merciful than the most merciful human 
being. In His mercy He dashes the body 
to ruin that the soul may be saved.” 
After an appeal to the entire congrega- 
tion to pray for the repose of Alvin’s 
soul, the sermon concluded with an 
earnest petition to God: “May he rest 
in peace!” 

“Poor, poor Alvin,” the mother 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


35 


sighed as his body was consigned to 
earth. Then the words of the Missionary 
came back to her memory: “God is 
much more merciful than the most 
merciful human being. ” 


Chapter IV 


THE LESSON. 

Alvin’s sudden death was the talk of 
the town. Many adverse criticisms 
were passed on him by those who had 
pretended to be his friends. They 
unanimously condemned his avarice, his 
selfishness, and his stinginess. ‘ * Had 
he attended the mission, as he should 
have done, he would now be among the 
living. That is what he got for it. 
They whisper that he used some strong 
language shortly before the train struck 
him,” somebody gossiped. 

Be it said to his widow’s credit, she 
never made an unkind remark about 
him. 

His sudden death aroused the spir- 
itual sluggards of the parish to a sense 
of duty. They came to church. For 
them his death was a blessing in dis- 
guise. 

Martin was to be forced by law to 
become homeless. This was averted by 
Margaret. Though they never found it 


36 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


37 


out, Alvin’s death was a blessing to 
Martin’s family. 

After his death Margaret and her 
children could practice their religion 
without being sneered at. The pastor’s 
noble intentions were henceforth never 
misinterpreted in her home. The neigh- 
bors feared no longer the danger of a 
lawsuit. They lived together in peace 
and harmony. 

When all the near relatives sat around 
the fireplace seriously conversing about 
the uncertainty of life and vied in re- 
calling the good qualities of unfortunate 
Alvin, little Louise dried a tear from her 
cheek, for she recalled the hasty words 
she had whispered into Helen’s ear on 
the bright and happy day of the family 
reunion at grandmother’s home. 

From that day forth no more un- 
charitable words escaped her lips, not 
even for the sake of humor. 

All the relatives continued to pray 
for Alvin, and had Masses said for him 
and offered up Holy Communion for the 
repose of his soul. The lessons they had 
recalled but a few weeks ago were now 
put into practice. Mother and her 


38 


THE TEST OF LOVE 


children continued to impart the les- 
sons on charity, on almsgiving, on mak- 
ing sacrifice, and inculcated upon the 
minds of the younger generation that 
Sacrifice is the Test of Love. 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




